Porsche to produce 918 Spyder hybrid

After getting positive public feedback, Porsche has given the green light to the 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid.

The Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid was revealed at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March and quickly received attention from auto enthusiasts around the world including MNN’s own Jim Motavalli. At the time, Porsche had no definitive plans to bring the vehicle to full production status but once the company began to realize that consumers wanted this car, they began to change their tune.

By the time the Beijing Auto Show started in April, Porsche AG had already gathered a list of 900 potential buyers. At that time Wolfgang Duerheimer with Porsche announced that if that list reached 1,000 potential buyers, then it might be a good business decision to produce the 918 Spyder.

It looks like that magic number was reached because Porsche made an official announcement regarding the 918 Spyder on Wednesday.

Michael Macht, president and chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG: “Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts. We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base.” Source: Porsche

This won’t just be your typical run-of-the-mill plug-in hybrid; it is a Porsche after all. Although specific details about the production vehicle are not yet available, the vehicle that appeared at the Geneva Motor Show has a 15.5-mile all-electric range, CO2 emissions of only 70 grams per mile, and an estimated 78-mpg.

The vehicle is also equipped with a 500-horespower V-8 engine. When combined with the 218 horsepower produced by the electric motors the 718-horsepower Porsche 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid could take drivers from zero to 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds. Of course drivers who make this zero to 62 mph time won’t realize 78 mpg, but if they can ease up on the lead foot, they’ll be able to drive emissions-free for short trips around town.